The future of the BMW 3 Series is finally here.

The luxury marque unveiled the second of its “Neue Klasse” EVs, the i3 sedan, on Wednesday. The latest version of the brand’s defining nameplate features an all-electric powertrain that makes over 450 hp and a driving range of over 400 miles.

BMW’s next generation of EVs, which so far includes the i3 and its SUV sibling, the iX3, are named after the Neue Klasse cars from the 1960s that changed brand’s fortunes and helped establish it as what it is today. The company is much healthier today, but that doesn’t make the latest Neue Klasse models any less important. BMW is the rare legacy automaker that has experienced success with its EVs, but the i3 and iX3 represent an attempt by the marque to truly create a separation between its battery- and gas-powered model lines.

BMW’s current crop of electric cars, which includes the i5 and i7, are remarkably similar to their traditional counterparts, aside from their powertrains. The i3, though, is its own vehicle. Yes, it’s still a mid-size sedan, but it sports a bold new look. Much of what we loved about the first Neue Klasse concept is still here, including the crisp lines, shark nose, and illuminated kidney grilles. It is bigger and more muscular than we were expecting, but it works, and also ensures no one will mistake the car for a “jellybean.”

The interior isn’t as futuristic as the concept, but it’s still more modern than can be found in any of the brand’s other vehicles. The five-seat cabin, like that of the iX3, features a streamlined layout. Up front, there’s a rectangular steering wheel and an 18-inch infotainment touchscreen (which can be used to enable optional Level 2+ driver assistance), with the gauge cluster normally found in the driver’s cockpit replaced by a thin, full-length screen at the base of the windshield called Panoramic iDrive. There is also an available head-up display.

Looks and onboard technology aren’t all that separate the i3 from the standard 3 Series. The EV is built on a completely new 800-volt electrical platform that it shares with the iX3. The first version of the sedan, the i3 50 xDrive, features a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain. The setup, which features a motor at both axles, combines to produce 463 hp and 476 ft lbs of torque. BMW hasn’t announced performance numbers yet, but that output is in line with that of the standard M3. More models will follow in due time, including an electric version of the high-performance four-door.

Just as important as an EV’s output is its range. BMW projects the i3 will be able to travel 440 miles between charges, based on EPA testing procedures. No charging figures have been released, but the automaker says the battery pack features cells that are 20 percent more dense than those found in the company’s other EVs and can charge at speeds of up to 400 kW, should we ever get chargers that powerful stateside.

It shouldn’t be too long before the i3 starts appearing on American roads. The iX3 will beat it to market, but BMW expects to begin selling the vehicle in the U.S. before the end of the year. Expect pricing info closer to the vehicle’s eventual on-sale date.

Click here for more photos of the 2027 BMW i3.